Brian O'Connell is a former Wall Street bond trader and author of the best-selling books, such as The 401k Millionaire. He's a regular contributor to major media business platforms. He resides in Doylestown, Pa. Brian may be reached at brian.oconnell@innfeedback.com.
Investors should diversify their holdings across emerging markets, experts say. But take care to be wary of volatility and invest with some trepidation.
Cybersecurity ETFs are a hot investment right now due to the persistent global cyber threats. But experts say there are important things to look for before plunging your client’s money into a cybersecurity ETF.
While financial advisory fees have undergone some compression, they remain surprisingly robust in mid-2017 and should stay that way for the foreseeable future, a new paper predicts.
A new Morningstar tool is designed to help investment management professionals “gain a clearer picture of business risk and portfolio suitability across an entire book of business.” In short, a balance between too much and too little risk.
Shouldn’t the real question be how the new rule impacts the ordinary investor?
New studies show more women taking on the role of financial breadwinner. Data also shows women unprepared to inherit wealth or pass their own wealth on to loved ones. An opportunity for advisors?
New FINRA notice requires broker-dealers to keep records of any text message correspondence, and take responsibility for any links or shares to third-party content providers.
Clients tend to get more enthusiastic and emotional about investing when the stock market is bullish, analysts say. Advisors can do well to keep clients on an even keel while those emotions run high.
Small caps have had a rough 2017 to date, but analysts point to several factors that could spur a rebound — among them, tax reform, interest rates and regulation reform. Investors should steer clear for now.
With 100,000 brokers retiring in the next ten years, and half the industry talent age 55 or higher, according to a new report, some in the financial services industry are trying to recruit much younger advisors.
A persistent financial advisor can be a client’s best friend when it comes to estate planning. A crucial activity that many clients put off, estate planning requires strong communication and family buy-in, experts say.
President Donald J. Trump’s tax plan looks highly favorable to financial consumers, especially affluent ones. But what will it look like once it emerges from Congress?
Merging the roboadvice model with real-world financial advisor analysis gives investors the best bang for the buck, analysts say.
Experiencing a financial shock can wipe out even a client who is prepared for emergencies. Advisors need to help clients get realistic about spending and saving.
Performance analysis is not only crucial in the investment process but increasingly critical for solid client communications, a new report finds.
As a general rule, early retirement only makes sense for individuals who have enough saved to cover 70 to 80 percent of their pre-retirement income. For clients who insist, here are a few key areas to cover.
Cash-flow analysis is a critical component of the comprehensive financial planning process, yet few advisors are doing it. Why not?
While President Donald J. Trump is cutting funding and resources devoted to environmental study, those policy moves are having little impact on the healthy environmental, social and governance (known as ‘ESG funds’) investment market.
A new survey highlights the gap between what Americans say they want to retire and what actions they are taking to meet that lofty goal. Younger people need to commit to saving for retirement, one advisor says.
New survey data finds that roughly two-thirds of investors say they really want good, conflict-free fiduciary advice, yet few are willing to pay extra for it. Can advisors respond to the challenge?
Investor alert: Gold has a good chance of rising under Trump because gold tends to rise in the first year of new presidents, especially those with controversial new spending plans.
Fifty-one percent of American workers fear “outliving my savings/investments,” the No. 1 fear in the latest Transamerica study of retirement readiness.
A 2016 study from Go Banking Rates says 69 percent of U.S. adults have less than $1,000 in savings. What can advisors do to get clients committed to an emergency fund?
According to a new study, investor losses in investment-related, class-action lawsuits tripled in 2016, however, settlement rates are at an all-time low.
Companies have been rolling out HSAs to curb costs, and give employees another health care insurance option. Advisors need to become experts on all that HSAs can do for clients.
ETFs are expected to remain a growing part of investment portfolios going forward. Here’s how advisors can make the most of an ETF investing strategy — and keep clients happy.
A qualified domestic relations order, or QDRO, is a special court order that grants a person a right to a portion of the retirement benefits his or her former spouse has earned. Advisors need to know about this.
A-lister Johnny Depp filed a lawsuit against The Management Group, a financial advisory firm he hired in 1999, claiming they wasted his fortune on bad investments. The firm has countersued. What can advisors learn here?
Registered investment advisors are at a crossroads, with technology putting pressure on advisors to adapt or die, some analysts say.
How can you help young clients prepare for the birth of a child? Through a comprehensive family plan that is heavy on saving for the future.
Eighty-five percent of financial advisors in a nationwide survey by Putnam Investments said they use social media in their practices today. The reason is a good one: more (and younger) clients.
With a potentially turbulent 2017 on the horizon, advisors can use all the help they can get. Our Brian O’Connell presents five reliable books advisors should consider reading to stay on top of their game.
Planning ahead and finding the right mix of risk and return are two keys to executing a strong college savings plan, one analyst said.
Advisors who perform pro bono services for low-income clients receive great experience and satisfaction, reports a nonprofit group that organizes campaigns to bring financial advice to poorer areas.
Now that Donald Trump is assured of being the 45th president of the United States, what do advisors need to know? What will the economic impact be on clients? We have some answers.
Would you be surprised to learn their health tops the list of keys to a fulfilling life for high-net-worth investors? Advisors need to learn what makes HNW investors tick in order to earn their business.
If the Fed raises interest rates today, as expected, what will it mean for the bull market? What about other factors such as mortgage rates and bond yields? Analysts say the bulls are running and they won’t slow down.
Focus on compliance systems a must, financial services’ analysts say, with government regulations expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Advisors are very familiar with clients who ignore their retirement plan in favor of socking away money in a college fund. Here’s how to help clients see the light.
The Department of Labor fiduciary rule is going to have a major impact on overhead costs and, eventually, client fees, say financial industry insiders. How will advisors evolve?
Will the run of states legalizing marijuana use make it a trendy focus for investment? Experts disagree on the future prospects of cannabis investing.
Did the Brexit vote have the detrimental impact on the U.K. economy that naysayers predicted? Hardly, analysts say. In fact, advisors might want to consider Great Britain as a foreign landing spot for their client’s portfolio.
Becoming a media expert can help provide financial advisors with substantial business opportunities. How does one go about doing it? We have the answers.
Clients might know that they can get more money by waiting on collecting Social Security, but do they know that if could be a difference of nearly $100,000 if they live to 83?
Changes in federal law open an opportunity for advisors to help families with one of their top financial priorities.
Pricing financial services and advice based on the client’s total assets under management is an antiquated model that isn’t resonating with millennials, experts say.
Financial advisors looking for a path away from negative rates for client retirement portfolios need to get creative, says legendary bond trader Bill Gross.
We all know that the savings rate is abysmal, so what about making it a game?
David Macknin has been asking around about how financial service companies view, and handle, the burgeoning threat of cyber-theft. Apparently,…
Rising longevity and health costs cry out for more Medigap coverage.
As the presidential race narrows to two, focus starts to shift to issues.
The Phil Mickelson case shows that sometimes a good, healthy fund is a better choice than a big play on a “sure-fire” tip.
Consumers might be open to finding their financial soul-mate on a match-making site, but advisors might swipe left on the idea.
Some studies cast doubt on the wisdom of using the popular funds. … And some advisors tend to agree.
Marijuana is selling like pot-laced hotcakes, so investing in a cannabis exchange might make a lot of sense.
Thirty-three percent of financial advisors are expected to retire over the next decade. Analysts say the transition phase will allow financial firms to train the next generation of advisors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission plans to add another 100 compliance inspectors this year.
Although it’s never a good idea to argue politics with clients, advisors can gain valuable insight by understanding their clients’ political leanings.
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